Donald Trump Becomes First US President Convicted of a Crime
Editor
31 May 2024 13:16 WIB
TEMPO.CO, New York - Donald Trump became the first U.S. president to be convicted of a crime on Thursday, May 30, when a New York jury found him guilty of falsifying documents to cover up a payment to silence a porn star ahead of the 2016 election.
After two days of deliberation, the 12-member jury pronounced Trump guilty on all 34 felony counts he faced.
Trump watched the jurors dispassionately as they were polled to confirm the unanimous verdict.
Justice Juan Merchan set sentencing for July 11, just days before the Republican Party is scheduled to formally nominate Trump for president ahead of the Nov. 5 election.
The crime of falsifying business documents carries a maximum sentence of four years in prison, though those convicted often receive shorter sentences, fines, or probation. Incarceration would not legally prevent him from campaigning, or taking office if he were to win.
He will not be jailed ahead of sentencing.
The verdict plunges the United States into unexplored territory ahead of the November vote when Trump will try to win back the White House from Democratic President Joe Biden.
Trump, 77, has denied wrongdoing and an attorney representing him said they would appeal as quickly as possible.
